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“This birth is very significant for the California sea lion population in human care,” aquatics curator Mark Bechtel said. “Because Pearl and Xander were rescues, they are genetically unrepresented. Two other pups have been born to the pair but both did not survive. This pup will ensure that their valuable genetic diversity will continue for generations to come.”

The female pup is the third offspring of mother Pearl and father Xander, who are both 13 years old.

The pup has not been named and will not be available for viewing for the next few months while she bonds with Pearl, nurses and learns how to swim, zoo officials said.